National Park After Dark - Episode 314: Trail Tales 74 Release Date: July 31, 2025
Hosts: Danielle and Cassie
Produced by: Audioboom Studios

Episode Overview

In Episode 314 of National Park After Dark, titled "Trail Tales 74," hosts Danielle and Cassie delve into a collection of riveting and often harrowing stories shared by their listeners. This edition, themed around trail experiences, features personal anecdotes ranging from supernatural encounters in historic sites to near-death experiences in the wilderness. The hosts weave these narratives with their signature mix of suspense, compassion, and advocacy for protecting natural spaces.

Guest Story 1: Stuck with Ghosts Inside a Victorian Era Asylum

Guest: Aaron
Timestamp: [00:56] – [06:26]

Aaron shares a spine-chilling experience at the Airedale Lunatic Asylum, a genuine Victorian-era asylum in Australia. While preparing for an opera set, Aaron participated in a private tour of the asylum, where supernatural occurrences unsettled him.

• Supernatural Encounters: Aaron describes hearing “whispers of things that weren’t there” and witnessing several apparitions, including “a little boy playing in the children's ward, two women, and a Chinese man” ([04:15]).

• Emotional Impact: The experience compounded Aaron’s existing struggles with mental health issues, leading to severe physical reactions like dizziness and nausea ([05:30]).

• Personal Transformation: Despite the haunting, Aaron credits the National Park After Dark podcast for inspiring him to embrace hiking, which helped him overcome personal challenges and pursue a career as an outdoor educational guide ([06:00]).

Notable Quote:

"Ever since I was a little girl, I have always seen and felt spiritual presences." — Aaron [01:09]

Guest Story 2: Getting Smacked at Radium Hot Springs

Guest: Katie
Timestamp: [09:59] – [20:13]

Katie narrates an adventurous yet painful outing at Radium Hot Springs in Colorado, highlighting the perils of peer pressure and the importance of safety in outdoor activities.

• Incident Description: During a group outing, Katie and her friends engaged in cliff jumping, a decision driven by peer encouragement. The result was Katie landing awkwardly, leading to severe back spasms and entrapment in the hot spring ([15:38]).

• Rescue Effort: Her friends orchestrated a rescue involving a nearby raft and kind strangers, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and preparedness in emergencies ([17:50]).

• Safety Lessons: Katie underscores the critical need for proper form in cliff jumping and shares her subsequent accident while skiing, reinforcing the episode’s theme of respecting nature’s dangers ([19:34]).

Notable Quote:

"And I was groping for a lifeline without realizing someone had already thrown one." — Katie [19:46]

Guest Story 3: Sneaky Quick Salt and Surreptitious Stares from Strangers

Guest: Megan
Timestamp: [23:25] – [28:39]

Megan recounts a solo trip to Death Valley National Park where she experiences a momentary panic upon sinking into quick salt at Lake Manly.

• The Incident: While photographing Lake Manly, Megan accidentally steps onto unstable salt, causing her to sink up to her knees. She manages to escape by redistributing her weight and crawling out, though not without leaving a conspicuous mark ([25:00]).

• Public Reaction: Upon returning, she notices strangers giving her odd stares, only to realize her pants were covered in a savory salty crust, leading to an awkward but humorous interaction with a family ([27:15]).

• Final Reflections: Megan emphasizes the unpredictability of nature and the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, even in seemingly benign environments ([28:00]).

Notable Quote:

"What you have today may become someone else's tomorrow." — Megan [26:45]

Guest Story 4: A Rescue from Beyond the Grave

Guest: Jen
Timestamp: [29:17] – [35:25]

Jen shares a deeply personal and emotional story about her father's posthumous intervention during a substance abuse crisis.

• Background: Jen recounts her father's immigrant journey, their cherished outdoor activities, and his tragic passing in 2007 ([30:10]).

• Personal Struggle: Years later, battling substance abuse, Jen experiences a life-threatening overdose accompanied by a vivid dream where her deceased father appears to save her, symbolizing hope and renewal ([33:00]).

• Healing and Hope: Inspired by this experience and the podcast, Jen finds strength to rebuild her life, pursue a career in oncology healthcare, and cultivate a love for hiking, sharing her ongoing connection with her father's spirit ([35:10]).

Notable Quote:

"Every time I see a white butterfly or a grasshopper, I acknowledge that he's checking in on me." — Jen [34:50]

Guest Story 5: The Time I Went to Joshua Tree, Found God, Got Lost and Almost Died

Guest: Cassie
Timestamp: [36:24] – [43:51]

Cassie narrates her solo excursion to Joshua Tree National Park, which turns into a harrowing ordeal of getting lost and nearly succumbing to the wilderness.

• Spiritual Awakening: Initially seeking solace from burnout and a breakup, Cassie finds a profound connection with nature’s beauty and contemplates the meaning of life ([40:00]).

• Getting Lost: Misreading trail signs leads Cassie into an unexpected descent, leaving her stranded as night falls. With no cell service, she faces the daunting task of navigating back alone ([42:00]).

• Rescue and Reflection: After a tense climb and finding her way out, Cassie reflects on the fragile boundary between adventure and danger, reinforcing the importance of preparation and companionship in outdoor activities ([43:30]).

Notable Quote:

"The overwhelming beauty and proximity to danger made me realize there’s much more to life than being stuck behind a desk." — Cassie [42:30]

Guest Story 6: The Stinky Ghost

Guest: Shelby
Timestamp: [43:51] – [48:08]

Shelby humorously recounts her experience on a ghost tour in Old Town San Diego, blending spooky tales with unexpected comedy.

• Tour Experience: Participating in a realistic ghost tour, Shelby and her siblings encounter a deadpan guide who delivers ghostly stories with an unintentional comedic twist ([45:30]).

• Unexpected Humor: The tour takes a hilarious turn when her brother discreetly announces he’s about to pass gas, leading to laughter and a playful nickname for the "stinky ghost" ([47:07]).

• Connection with Hosts: Shelby appreciates the hosts for capturing the blend of fear and fun, highlighting how unexpected moments can become memorable parts of any adventure ([48:00]).

Notable Quote:

"As you can imagine, in a stale wood-paneled room, the sound reverberated like a shot." — Shelby [46:50]

Host Reflections and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Danielle and Cassie engage in lively discussions about each story, offering insights and relating personal experiences. They emphasize themes such as the unpredictable nature of the wild, the importance of safety and preparation, and the profound personal growth that often accompanies outdoor adventures.

Key Takeaways:

• Respect for Nature’s Power: The stories underscore the importance of respecting natural environments and being prepared for unforeseen challenges.
• Personal Growth Through Adversity: Many guests found strength and transformation through their trials in the wilderness.
• Community and Support: The role of friends, family, and even strangers can be pivotal in overcoming difficult situations.

Notable Host Interaction:

Danielle: "You got everything going on. You got the Victorian thing. You got the wilderness and outdoor thing. Well rounded and you can see."

Cassie: "Yeah. And also not just someone. Once you saw, you're like, every room there was a different apparition or feeling or whatever. Like, I'm lucky if I even get one." ([06:26] – [07:01])

Conclusion

Episode 314 of National Park After Dark masterfully weaves together a tapestry of personal narratives that highlight both the beauty and the dangers inherent in exploring national parks. Danielle and Cassie not only entertain but also inspire listeners to embark on their own adventures, armed with the knowledge and respect for the wild that these stories impart.

For more engaging stories and to share your own trail tales, visit npadpodcast.com or follow National Park After Dark on your favorite social media platforms.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the moment in the transcript where each story or discussion began.